Game 9 - Twins vs Rangers - 4/15/12

[Seth Stohs]

Sunday afternoon lineup:

 

Rangers Lineup:

 

Ian Kinsler 2B

Elvis Andrus SS

Josh Hamilton CF

Adrian Beltre 3B

Michael Young DH

Nelson Cruz RF

David Murphy LF

Mike Napoli 1B

Yorvit Torrealba C

 

SP: Neftali Feliz

 

Twins Lineup:

 

Denard Span CF

Jamey Carroll SS

Joe Mauer C

Justin Morneau DH

Josh Willingham LF

Chris Parmelee 1B

Danny Valencia 3B

Clete Thomas RF

Alexi Casilla 2B

 

SP: Liam Hendriks

[Fanatic Jack]

Sure glad we acquired the game changer Clete Thomas! Revere was thrown away by this team and for what another Plouffe. Thomas is not even as good as Plouffe. Joke....

[DaTwins]

I'd say Thomas is quite a bit better than Plouffe. I haven't seen him much, but he couldn't be too much worse in right field. And, come on, Revere is 23, there's no reason he should have to fight to get 2 starts a week at the major league level. You'll see him soon enough, what's your rush? Grabbing Thomas, assuming he as advertised, was a really smart move, the Twins needed a good-defense 4th outfielder.

[Seth Stohs]

Great first inning for Hendriks. Even the single to Hamilton was a terrific 2-0 pitch at the knees and sinking.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

listening on the radio - funny anecdote from Gladden about Kent Hrbek referring to foul balls into the dugout as "Ugly Finders" - specifically that the foul balls would hopefully hit the tough lefties that Hrbek didn't like to hit against. This came up because Tigers lefty starter Wilk was knocked out of the game yesterday by his teammates' foul ball (Prince Fielder) into the dugout.

[jeffk]

Corey never seems to quite know how to handle Gladden. Can't say I blame him.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Can we blame the lack of offense on the rain if we don't score today?

[twinzgrl]

Can we blame the lack of offense on the rain if we don't score today?

If it makes you feel better, I say go for it.

 

The sun is out here in southern MN.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

yes, definitely the rain.

[twinzgrl]

On a positive note, Liam seems to be handling this line up pretty well. If you throw out Liriano's stats, the starting pitching hasn't been that bad.

[twinzgrl]

Jason Repko is playing CF for the Red Sox today....

[Seth Stohs]

Hendriks threw his first 'spinner' of the game and Mike Napoli took advantage.

 

Other than that pitch, Hendriks has looked terrific through 5. Neftali Feliz is tough. Makes throwing 95 look effortless. Slider at 89. Very good changeup. I'm impressed.

 

Morneau has crushed the ball twice off of him. Unfortunately one was foul, and the other was a perfectly place double play ball.

[Scheherezade]

Clete Thomas: Game changer!

[twinsnorth49]

Sure glad we acquired the game changer Clete Thomas! Revere was thrown away by this team and for what another Plouffe. Thomas is not even as good as Plouffe. Joke....

 

Pardon me?.........421 feet.........say goodnight lucy.

[Vegeta]

Can Gardy please bench Valencia. Sick of seeing him swinging for the fence.

[Seth Stohs]

Clete on offense... Clete on Defense... Liam's made one bad pitch. Great play at the plate. Michael Young can hit any pitch. What a game, and there's still 3 innings to go!!

[ashbury]

Clete on offense... Clete on Defense...

The Game Changer!

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Probably the best start this year by a Twins' pitcher, right?

[Seth Stohs]

Probably the best start this year by a Twins' pitcher, right?

No question!

 

And nice work in the 7th by Jared Burton!

[Scheherezade]

That hit and run attempt was UGLY. =D

[Vegeta]

Valencia shouldn't have stopped. Once you take off you gotta keep going, pitch out or not. You stop and your done everytime

[stringer bell]

Perkins is coming off a shaky outing. I hope the results are better today.

[stringer bell]

No question!

 

And nice work in the 7th by Jared Burton!

I think Burton and Maloney will be very good in middle innings and setup roles. Maloney has always been a starter so I wonder if he'll be considered if the plague of injuries continues for the rotation.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

oof. Tough break for Hendriks

[Vegeta]

And a brilliant outing by Perkins

[stringer bell]

Perkins is coming off a shaky outing. I hope the results are better today.

I guess not.

[jeffk]

Man Texas sure has Perkins' number. Wonder what his deal is the last couple of days?

[ashbury]

Man Texas sure has Perkins' number. Wonder what his deal is the last couple of days?

He had a career year last year. That's all.

[Seth Stohs]

I posted on Twitter that the Rangers have been so aggressive against Twins pitchers with the exception of Perkins. They lay off the fastball just above the belt and don't swing at the slider. Gotta wonder if Perkins gives something to indicate what pitch is coming?

[Ultima Ratio]

And here is our 2012 bullpen. Though I blame Gardy too: why not leave Burton in to face two RH batters and then bring in Perkins to face Hamilton. Rangers are RH heavy and kill LH pitching.